First introduced by Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) in Hong Kong in 2012, ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’ is a charitable fundraising activity to encourage healthy living and giving among Hong Kong. Over HK $30 million has been raised to support children and youth services in the local community.

‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’ was held at two locations in 2016, including International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong (Race to Hong Kong ICC) and International Financial Centre in Shanghai (Race to Shanghai IFC), and have attracted over 3,000 runners.

SHKP stages the ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity – Race to Hong Kong ICC’ to raise funds for child and youth services. The event will be held on 3 December this year at the International Commerce Centre (ICC), the tallest building in Hong Kong. Local and global entrants will climb 2,120 steps in elite, individual and relay races and will finish at the sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck on the 100th floor. The Fun Climb entrants will also get to enjoy a more leisurely experience of vertical running. The Race will be the Grand Finale of the 2017 Vertical World Circuit, bringing international top runners to Hong Kong.

Date: Sunday, 3 December 2017

Time: 8:30am – 4:00pm

Place: 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, International Commerce Centre

Price:

Registration Deadline: 3 November 2017Deadline for early bird registration is 4 August 2014
For more information and to register, please visit their website

About Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP): Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) puts its long-standing belief in ‘Building Homes with Heart’ into practice, on the one hand by developing residences of the finest quality and offering first-class service to its customers, and also by contributing to the good of the community to make Hong Kong a better home for everyone.

First introduced in Hong Kong in 2012, ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’ is a charitable fundraising activity to encourage healthy living and giving among Hong Kong. ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’ was held at two locations in 2014, including International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong (Race to Hong Kong ICC) and International Financial Centre in Shanghai (Race to Shanghai IFC), and have attracted over 10,000 runners throughout the years. Other major community initiatives include the SHKP Reading Club, SHKP Building Homes with Heart Caring Initiative, SHKP Love Nature Campaign and a guided tour programme to promote inclusion and care for the needy.

SHKP has been a constituent of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index since 2010 in recognition of its enviable record for corporate sustainability. This is the first index series to track corporate sustainability including environmental and social impact, workplace practices and corporate governance in Hong Kong and on the mainland.

SHKP has been dedicated to the ideal of Building Homes with Heart over the past four decades. The management team leads by example and inspires staff to reach out to those in need and give back to society with their professional knowledge and skills. SHKP also engages its stakeholders in spreading positive energy in the community.

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Founded in 1998, Animals Asia promotes compassion and respect for all animals and works to bring about long-term change. Animals Asia works to end the barbaric bear bile trade, which sees over 10,000 bears kept on bile farms in China, and, according to official figures, about 1,200 suffering the same fate in Vietnam.

Animals Asia has rescued over 500 bears, caring for them at its award-winning bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam.

Animals Asia also works to end the trade in dogs and cats for food in China and Vietnam, and lobbies to improve the welfare of companion animals, promote humane population management and prevent the cross border export of “meat dogs” in Asia.

In addition, Animals Asia campaigns for an end to abusive animal practices in zoos and safari parks in Asia, and works closely with governing authorities to improve animal management and increase awareness of the welfare needs of captive animals.

Their work
Their work to end animal cruelty focuses on three major programmes:

End Bear Bile FarmingAnimals Asia works to end the barbaric bear bile trade, which sees over 10,000 bears – mainly moon bears but also sun bears and brown bears – kept on bile farms in China, and around 2,400 in Vietnam.

Cat and Dog WelfareAnimals Asia works to end the trade in dogs and cats for food in China, and lobbies to improve the welfare of companion animals and promote humane population management.

Zoos and Safari ParksAnimals Asia campaigns for an end to abusive animal practices in zoos and safari parks in China, and works closely with governing authorities to improve animal management and increase awareness of the welfare needs of captive animals.

Their approachChange through Empathy:Animals Asia works with animal ambassadors who embody the ideal that empathy for one animal can evolve into empathy for an entire species and ultimately for all species.

Negotiation:Animals Asia takes a non-partisan, sensitive approach in working with governments, authorities, experts and local communities. They work with, not against, people to find sustainable solutions for all parties.

Education:Animals Asia informs and empower local communities for the welfare of animals and people, promoting change at the grass-roots level. They promote alternatives to animal products for use in traditional medicine through our Healing without Harm campaign.

Investigation:Animals Asia works with vet and bear-care teams, field officers and a network of research scientists, university students, pathologists and traditional medicine doctors to investigate the bear bile industry, the trade in cats and dogs for their meat, and cruelty to animals in captivity – and use this knowledge to fight against these practices.

What you can do to help
Become a volunteer for Animals Asia and use your skills and passion to help animals in need. There are many ways you can donate your time.

Office volunteers
Support your local Animals Asia office by volunteering for office work or helping at events.

Behavioral volunteers – China and VietnamAnimals Asia can only accept volunteers trained in either veterinary science / vet nursing or qualified in wild-animal management, as all hands-on work with the bears necessitates intensive training. All behavioral volunteer placements require a minimum commitment of three months in China or Vietnam.

Professor Paws Volunteers
All potential volunteers must:
* be over the age of 18 and have their own dog.
* be clean and presentable at all times.
* be committed to the programme and its aims.
* have good “people skills” and an enthusiastic, patient personality.
* enjoy meeting new people and be willing to be a part of a team.
* be native English speakers.
* be available for visits to schools on weekdays.

Vet Nurse VolunteersAnimals Asia can only accept applications from volunteers trained in either veterinary science / vet nursing or qualified in wild-animal management, as all hands on work with the bears necessitates intensive training. All veterinary volunteer placements require a commitment of at least three months.

Doctor Dog Volunteers
All potential volunteers must:
* be over the age of 18 and have their own dog.
* be clean and presentable at all times.
* be committed to the programme and its aims.
* have good “people skills” and an enthusiastic, patient personality.
* enjoy meeting new people and willing to be a part of a team.

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Powered by Youth (PBY) focuses on developing well-rounded, forward-thinking leaders who excel in being change-makers, taking action, and supporting the community.

In the annual 2-day forum, students aged 12-17 take part in ‘Power Groups‘ focusing on personal strengths, and ‘Passion Groups‘ targeting social issues. Groups then create Community Act!on Projects, go through ‘Step Up‘ workshops on pitching, writing advocacy, articulating personal values, and creative messaging. Finally, they pitch to a judging panel for a chance to bring their ideas to life. Successful projects join Act!on for a Cause and are allocated seed funding and a Kids4Kids mentor to help deliver the project and measure its impact.

This year, PBY is coming back more global, hands on, and ambitious than before! Be the SPARK and make a CHANGE. Stay tuned on our website for the full program rundown.

Price: $320
To order early bird tickets, please follow this link to EventbriteTicket sales end on 28 July

About Act!on for a Cause: Act!on for a Cause aims at mobilizing youth from diverse backgrounds to take action on real life social issues.
They aim to:
* Promote creative problem solving of real life issues
* Mobilize youth from all backgrounds to take positive action
* Build leadership skills and social awareness
* If you are between the age of 12 to 17 years living in Hong Kong, you can choose to participate as an individual, or groups of up to 4 participants

Their Mission: To empower children to take responsibility with opportunities to learn about giving back — from the products created to activities organized by kids of all ages to reach out and help, in our local community, for a better Hong Kong.

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The Sedan Chair Race is an annual Hong Kong charity event in which teams take part in a race carrying a Sedan Chair. There are several categories in the race, including:
* The Super Fun Challenge
* The Fun Challenge
* The Serious Challenge – Mens’
* The Serious Challenge – Womens’
* The Serious Challenge – Schools
The Race is held in a real carnival atmosphere, with many teams dressing up in a variety of character costumes and over the years has helped raise many millions of dollars for small, Hong Kong based charities.

Why should you apply?
By participating in this meaningful event, your company can boost staff morale, reinforce group cooperation and demonstrate the company cares about the local community as well as its staff. Entering a team in the race, a fun and team building experience can be achieved for your employees and great exposure for your company name.

To date, around $70 million has been donated to 138 Hong Kong charitable associations and organizations. Join the Sedan Chair Charities Fund and race for a good cause now!

Route MapParticipants are required to run for a 2.1km route, starting from Matilda International Hospital, with 6 – 8 runners and 1 passenger on the sedan chair. You can also ask your friends to be the cheerleaders of your team!

Application Deadline: 31 August, 2017Places are limited but team applications are now open! You are highly recommended to submit forms for this funniest race ever as soon as possible since the Sedan Chair Charities Fund can only accommodate 53 teams on the course.

For more information and to download the application form, please visit their website.

About Sedan Chair Charities Fund : The aim of Sedan Chair Charities Fund is to raise money for needy charities in Hong Kong. Race donations will go to support lesser known organisations that have very limited resources to do fundraising themselves.

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World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong is one of Hong Kong’s leading conservation and environmental education organisations. WWF is currently looking for volunteers to deliver gardening works in their Island House Conservation Studies Centre, Tai Po

Responsibilities:
To support all-round Centre horticulture and maintenance works.

Requirements:
* Has solid working experience in horticulture work and maintenance British style garden;
* With knowledge in maintenance of garden facilities and horticulture equipment;
* With knowledge / experience in organic Farming;

About WWF: WWF was founded in 1961 by a group of passionate and committed individuals with the vision and determination to change the future – for good of the natural world and for all life on Earth.

Today, WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected conservation organizations, with a network active in more than 100 countries. WWF is currently carrying out more than 1,300 conservation projects around the planet – from small-scale local conservation projects to large-scale species protection projects which span all continents.

Their goal is to build a future in which humans can live in harmony with nature.

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* Pneumonia and diarrheal diseases are two of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years old.
* According to the World Health Organization, millions of young lives could be saved with access to bar soap and hygiene education.
* More than 2 million bars of partially used hotel soap are thrown away every day in the United States.
* By recycling soap and other discarded hygiene products, Clean the World saves lives with items that traditionally end up in landfills.

Clean the World: Clean the World was founded in 2009 by Shawn Seipler. As the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for an e-commerce technology company, Shawn traveled several days a week. The idea for soap recycling came about after Shawn learned the barely used bars of hotel soap he left behind each morning ended up in a landfill. That led to Clean the World, a Florida not-for-profit corporation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Mission:* Collect and recycle soap and hygiene products discarded every day by the hospitality industry and other sectors that generate environmental waste.
* Through the distribution of these and other donated products to impoverished people, prevent millions of hygiene-related deaths each year, reduce the morbidity rate for hygiene-related illnesses, and encourage vigorous childhood development.

They do this by…:* Collecting, sorting and processing discarded soap, shampoo conditioner and lotion product donations from participating hospitality partners.
* Collection of donated hygiene products from manufacturers.
* Recycling these product donations at facilities in Orlando, Fla., Las Vegas, and Hong Kong.
* Delivering these recycled product donations to domestic homeless shelters and developing countries suffering from high death rates due to acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease.

What you can do to help: When volunteering, you serve an essential role in Clean the World’s mission by pre-sorting hygiene products for recycling or packing them for distribution. Individuals, corporate groups, and schools serve in dynamic teams at social responsibility events to address urgent hygiene needs.

Clean the World welcomes individual volunteers, corporate groups, churches, families, and clubs. Volunteering at Clean the World is appropriate for kids as well as adults. Volunteers must beat least 8 years old. Children ages 8 through 15 require supervision by a parent or guardian.

Volunteering is by appointment only. To volunteer, please complete the volunteer form by following this link.

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Green Monday is a social startup group that aims to tackle climate change and global food insecurity by making low-carbon and sustainable living simple, viral and actionable. Their platform enables corporations, restaurants, schools and the general public to join efforts in performing social and environmental responsibilities while their Green Common is Asia’s first plant-based grocer with the mission to empower the community with sustainable, innovative, wholesome and responsible food choices. In 2014, Green Monday was named by FAST COMPANY as one of China’s Top 50 Most Innovative Companies.

While most of us are aware that transportation systems, heavy industries and coal-generated electric power continue to spew black smoke into our atmosphere and adversely affect the environment, few until recently understand that foods we eat are also the culprit of global warming. According to a 2006 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the meat we consume add more greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide etc. – into the atmosphere than either transportation or industry, mostly from the manure of cattle.
The FAO report also found that current production levels of meat contribute up to 18% of “CO2-equivalent” greenhouse gases the world produces every year. That’s more than all the cars, trains and planes combined.

Put simply, a vegetarian diet puts less stress on the environment. For as simple as trading in meat and seafood for greens only once a week, the amount of carbon emission reduced is very significant.

Green Monday’s Mission
Established 22 April 2012, Green Monday is a social enterprise group that promotes and enables green, healthy and sustainable living. Through their vegetarian promotion and food rescue initiatives, they are a platform that enables corporations, restaurants, schools, and the general public to join efforts in reducing our carbon footprint and performing our social and environmental responsibilities.

It is not about converting people to vegetarianism, nor does it require a drastic or overnight lifestyle change or a huge time commitment. Green Monday educates the public how easy and effective it is to reduce carbon footprint and improve health by giving up meat for just one day per week.

Why Monday?
Monday, the first day of a work week, is chosen to welcome a change of pace in the mind and the body. At the beginning of the week, when intentions, plans and expectations are set, having a Green Monday symbolizes a wholesome start.

The name “Green Monday” embraces the positive adoption of green practices rather than refraining people from meat consumption. The goal is to raise awareness and inspire the public on the benefits of green diets, nurturing the love towards our planet, and the pursuit of harmony in life.

What you can do to helpGreen Monday needs your help for various events and projects. If you would like to play an active role in supporting their cause, join the Green Monday volunteer team by filling in the registration form in this link.

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Just remember, the aim of this blog is only to bring opportunities to your attention. If you want to volunteer, you need to reach out to the organisations profiled.